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Foreigner – I Want to Know What Love Is

Foreigner's I Want To Know What Love Is: The Meaning Behind The Song | Louder

About the Song

Foreigner’s “I Want to Know What Love Is” is a power ballad that has been a staple of classic rock radio since its release in 1984. The song was written by Mick Jones and Lou Gramm, and it features a soaring melody, powerful vocals, and a memorable guitar riff.

The song’s lyrics are about the search for true love. The narrator has experienced heartbreak and pain in the past, but he is still hopeful that he will one day find love. He sings, “I’ve traveled so far to change this lonely life / I want to know what love is.”

“I Want to Know What Love Is” was a commercial success, reaching number one on the Billboard Hot 100 chart in the United States. It has also been certified platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA). The song has been covered by many artists, including Michael Bolton, Tina Turner, and Whitney Houston.

The song’s enduring popularity is a testament to its universal message of hope and love. It is a song that has resonated with listeners of all ages for generations.

In addition to its commercial success, “I Want to Know What Love Is” has also been praised by critics. The song was nominated for a Grammy Award for Best Rock Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocal in 1985. It has also been included on several lists of the greatest rock songs of all time.

“I Want to Know What Love Is” is a powerful and moving song that has had a lasting impact on popular culture. It is a song that continues to inspire and uplift listeners around the world.

Here are some additional details about the song:

  • The song was originally released as the lead single from Foreigner’s fifth album, Agent Provocateur.
  • The song was produced by Mick Jones and Keith Olsen.
  • The song’s music video features the band performing the song in a variety of locations, including a church, a forest, and a mountaintop.
  • The song has been used in several films and television shows, including “The Wedding Singer”, “The Big Lebowski”, and “Scrubs”.

Artist of the Week: Foreigner – BlackLight Radio

Video

Lyrics: I Want To Know What Love Is

I gotta take a little time
A little time to think things over
I better read between the lines
In case I need it when I’m olderNow this mountain I must climb
Feels like a world upon my shoulders
Through the clouds I see love shine
It keeps me warm as life grows colderIn my life there’s been heartache and pain
I don’t know if I can face it again
Can’t stop now, I’ve traveled so far
To change this lonely lifeI wanna know what love is
I want you to show me
I wanna feel what love is
I know you can show meI’m gonna take a little time
A little time to look around me
I’ve got nowhere left to hide
It looks like love has finally found meIn my life there’s been heartache and pain
I don’t know if I can face it again
I can’t stop now, I’ve traveled so far
To change this lonely life

I wanna know what love is
I want you to show me
I wanna feel what love is
I know you can show me

I wanna know what love is
I want you to show me
And I wanna feel, I want to feel what love is
And I know, I know you can show me

Let’s talk about love
I wanna know what love is, the love that you feel inside
I want you to show me, and I’m feeling so much love
I wanna feel what love is, no, you just cannot hide
I know you can show me, yeah

I wanna know what love is, let’s talk about love
I want you to show me, I wanna feel it too
I wanna feel what love is, I want to feel it too
And I know and I know, I know you can show me
Show me love is real, yeah
I wanna know what love is…

 

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Long before the sprawling mansions, multi-platinum records, and roaring audiences, Elvis Presley experienced the harsh reality of financial hardship. Growing up in a modest household in Tupelo, Mississippi, his parents, Vernon and Gladys, frequently fought to make ends meet. Even so, Elvis was nurtured by a foundation that would anchor him throughout his life: strong family bonds, deep-rooted faith, and a constant presence of music.

During his days at Humes High School, Elvis Presley was far from the self-assured icon America would soon embrace. After moving to Memphis for a fresh start, his family settled into the Lauderdale Courts public housing. Financial struggles persisted, and memories from his school days reveal that even paying for a simple lunch was a challenge. A former coach even remembered slipping Elvis a quarter every now and then just to ensure he had something to eat.

It feels almost surreal that Elvis Presley left behind a legacy so immense given how brief his journey was. Born into poverty in a modest Tupelo home, he passed away at just 42. Yet within that span, the quiet Mississippi boy forged a voice, a presence, and an emotional resonance capable of transcending generations. His time was far shorter than anyone could have foreseen, but somehow, he made every moment of it monumental.

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